FERC staff developed a licensing process for hydrokinetic pilot projects tailored to meet the needs of entities interested in testing new technology, including connection with the interstate grid, while minimizing the risk of adverse environmental impacts. The goal of the pilot process is to allow developers to test new hydrokinetic technologies, to determine appropriate siting of these technologies, and to confirm their environmental effects, while maintaining FERC oversight and agency input. The process completes licensing in as few as six months to allow for project installation, operation, and environmental testing as soon as possible.

Projects eligible to use this process are small, are able to be shutdown or removed on short notice, and avoid sensitive locations. The resulting license would be short-term and include rigorous environmental monitoring and safeguards.